Onimusha 2: Samurai's Destiny

"A game only a true samurai can enjoy..."

...or at least a demon killer! Onimusha is back and better than before! You may not have played Onimusha 1 but it was the first decent games on the PlayStation2. The gameplay is similar and that my friends is quite a good thing. When you put Sony Computer Entertainment and CAPCOM together you always get sweet, awesome games!.

Controls:
Have you played Resident Evil? Have you played Devil May Cry? Have you played Silent Hill or even Dino Crisis? What about Onimusha 1? If so, your in luck. The controls on Onimusha aren't that different from the two. You use the famous R1 button to equip and ready you weapon. Sound familiar? Of course, it's the CAPCOM way. You say you haven't played those games? Well, doesn't really matter, the controls in Onimusha 2 aren't difficult to learn, at all. They are the simple, take 5 to 10 minutes of Onimusha 2 and learn the controls type thingy...yeah. It won't take longer then 10 minutes to learn the controls and no longer then 20 to 30 minutes to master the controls. If you can't seem to master these controls or even learn them, you have some problems. ;)

In point, the controls don't disappoint, it's the CAPCOM way. Controls earn a 10/10.

Story:
It's a quite day in 1573 and the small village of Yagyu is under attack by none other then the Demon Warlord, Nobunaga. Jubei Yagyu, a samurai who hears of the attacking and returns home as soon as possible but it is too late. He confronts a couple of demons, and then finds out that Nobunaga is behind this. Jubei Yagyu then swears revenge on Nobunaga. Along the game you will journey back to the castle from Onimusha 1 but everything will look much older, seeing as 15 years have passed since Samanosuke Akechi's journey. The story will slowly unfold as you head deeper into the game. And don't expect to learn more of Samanosuke's journey, it won't happen, sadly.

Not a bad story for a great game, it is the downfall of the game though. Story earns a 7/10.

Game Play:
Onimusha 2 is famous for the words, ''Hack and Slash'' type of game. Well, that saying is half right. It isn't just about Hacking and slashing your enemies, it gets more in-depth. You have an Orb Absorber which you use to suck in the souls of the demons you hack and slash. With these souls you upgrade your abilities, weapons, vitality, et cetera. Not much of a difference from Onimusha 1. Along your journey you will spot some demons that starred in Onimusha while you will spot others that are new. Keep in mind that you will also have 4 other samurai's to help you along your journey.

Overall, game play in Onimusha 2 is wonderful. Much more than I expected. Game Play earns a 10/10.

A.I.:
What do you ask is A.I.? It is the enemies intelligence and skill in the game. The A.I. in Onimusha 2 is good. The enemies aren't as easy as they look and bosses provide a challenge. Remember that you have 4 samurai's helping you along your journey because you wouldn't survive alone. The A.I. doesn't disappoint here.

Overall, the A.I. is good. It isn't to easy nor too hard. The A.I. earns a 9/10.

Graphics:
What most of you gamers judge a game on. Straight to the point here, the graphics in no way a match for graphics on games such as: Final Fantasy X, Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty, Resident Evil on GameCube, et cetera. The game has some wonderful graphics but they aren't as amazing and eye catching as these games. They may be similar to Resident Evil on GameCube but there wasn't much detail put in it. In Resident Evil on GameCube even the slightest bug on the background had it's own movement and action, even a damn shadow but the backgrounds in Onimusha 2 are just flat as day.

The graphics don't disappoint here though, it isn't amazing but it isn't bad. Graphics earn a 9/10.

Audio:
Pretty damn realistic. If you slash something particular, it will sound a different way. I like this because walls, flesh, wood, et cetera all has a different material and when you fit a certain material with a sword it will do that sound in that certain way. The voice acting is horrific...well not horrific but meh, it's so-so. At times your ears may begin to bleed so have some Kleenex near you...

Overall, the sounds are good, the voice acting is meh but the sounds are good. Sound earns a 8/10.

Replayability:
Lots of replayability in Onimusha 2. You can simply replay the game or after beating the game you can check out any of the several mini games including the Oni Spirits game...I hated that mini game in Onimusha 1. It was too much of a damn challenge. =P

Overall, replayability is real good in Onimusha 2. Like I said, it gives you something to do. Replayability earns a 9/10.

To Buy or to Rent, that is the question:
No questions asked, buy this game. It is very well worth $50. From great story to great gameplay, this game won't let you down. Plus think of it this way, it will last you until Grand Theft Auto: Vice City is released. =)

Overall, buy the game!

Overall:
While Onimusha isn't one of the best games I've seen or even played, it is up there. Onimusha 2 in itself is a sweet game! From slashing demons to absorbing their souls to upgrade yourself, what more could you want? Just don't pay attention to the cheesy backgrounds and ear bleeding voice acting and you'll be A-OK!

Overall, Onimusha 2 is great. Overall it earns a 10/10.

Heres hoping that this review really helped you sort out your thoughts on Onimusha 2. Happy gaming!

Reviewer's Score: 10/10, Originally Posted: 09/03/02, Updated 10/06/02